The UNCF Milwaukee campaign recently held its annual Salute to Champions Award Ceremony at the Hilton Hotel located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. UNCF’s Regional Development Director Ms. Jann Honore, in from Chicago, Illinois recognized and thanked the entire Milwaukee Community especially the sponsors and donors contributing to the very successful 28th Annual Walk/Run for Education.

UNCF colleges and students count contributions so that they can invest in the leaders of tomorrow. Donations enable UNCF to give member colleges and universities the resources they need to provide a college education to students that are academically rich but lack the finances to pay for a college degree. UNCF plays a critical role in enabling more than 60,000 students each year to attend college and get the education they need to live their dreams of a college education and to participate as responsible citizens in society.

The UNCF Salute event was designed to recognize sponsors, volunteers and participants who made this years’ event a success- raising more than $170,000 for the 28th Annual UNCF Walk/Run for Education. A special thank you was extended to the Honorary Chairperson, the Honorable Tom Barrett, Mayor of the City of Milwaukee and to the Grand Marshall, Brad Chapin, Executive Vice-President, BMO Harris Bank. The leading sponsors for the 2012 Walk/Run were Rockwell Automation and the Gold sponsor, Johnson Controls.

The contributing sponsors were recognized and they were: M & I a part of BMO Harris Financial Group, We Energies, Chase Bank, Blood Center of Wisconsin and Lena’s Food Market as well as the media sponsors V100 – WKKV.

The event was well represented by UNCF’s public, private, corporate, philanthropic, faith- based and community partners.

The 2012 Crystal Globe Award was awarded to Johnson Controls. Ms. Mary Dowell, Director of Community Relations accepted the award on behalf of Johnson Controls. She exhibited much hubris for being recognized as the winner of the annual friendly competition among the teams and their efforts to see who can raise the most money, by soliciting registrations, donations, sponsorship and matching gifts. Their efforts earned them the Crystal Globe Award!

Individual fundraising efforts were also recognized and appreciated. This year’s winner of the individual fundraising goal was Ms. Mae Whitley who raised more than $7,500. Ms. Whitley, of Joy Global left no co-worker, supervisor or member of the community unsolicited as she tirelessly worked to achieve her phenomenal goal.

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste. If you are interested in giving, it is not too late. To make a contribution, please contact UNCF Milwaukee at (414) 372-6700 or visit UNCF’s website at www.uncf.org for more information.